IMPACT Wrestling Actively Avoided Teasing A CM Punk Return At Bound For Glory
IMPACT didn't want to falsely tease a CM Punk return at Bound for Glory 2023
Oct 23, 2023
IMPACT Wrestling were conscious of not setting unrealistic expectations when they visited Illinois for Bound for Glory this past weekend.
PWInsder Elite noted that there was talk about potentially featuring backstage producer (and former wrestler) Ace Steel in the Call Your Shot gauntlet, but that the company ultimately decided against it.
The belief was that if fans saw Steel perform, they might assume that Steel's friend CM Punk is coming in, too. The company didn't want to even accidentally tease something that is not going to happen.
A recent report indicated that Punk has received an offer from IMPACT and would be welcome in the promotion. The 44-year-old previously wrestled for the company, then known as NWA: Total Nonstop Action, between 2003-04.
PWInsider added that Punk was not backstage at any point before, during or after Bound for Glory and was, in fact, at the Chicago Blackhawks game.
Steel, meanwhile, worked the show as a producer in something of a tryout.
Punk's next move is unknown. He was let go by AEW in September, following a pair of backstage incidents at All In on August 27. Reports indicated that he had reached out to WWE about a return, but was turned down at this time.
